connecticut officials had tried to block them to protect families of the 20 children and 6 educators who were killed on that day. but they decided not to appeal after a court ruled to make those recordings public. >>> and now, to detroit, where the judge who approved the city's entrance into bankruptcy is calling that move an opportunity for a fresh start. the motor city now must address its $18 billion debt. the judge's decision was opposed by the city's unions, pension funds and retirees who claim that the debt will be settled through cuts to their benefits. mindful of that, the judge says that he will not sign off on just any proposed cuts. >>> the nation's capitol is a little brighter for the rest of the year after getting an annual touch of holiday glitz. >> house speaker john boehner flipping the switch last night on the capitol christmas tree. it's an 88-foot-tall spruce, adorned with 5,000 ornaments made by kids across the country. >> and it looks beautiful. >> a beautiful tree. i will say that, yes. >>> coming up, which state curses the most? the results are in. >> interesti